Fox Sports and Twitter announced plans to produce similar content for June’s Women’s World Cup as the two partners created for the men’s World Cup last year. That includes a nightly live show streaming only on the social media site, FIFA Women’s World Cup Now, as well as posting every goal in the tournament within seconds of its scoring.
What’s new is the addition of more pre-World Cup content. Highlighting that will be behind-the-scenes video from the U.S. women’s national team competing in the invitational SheBelieves Cup in March.
“As the leader in live sports, Fox Sports will be bringing fans the seminal event of the summer—Team USA’s attempt to become back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup champions,” said David Katz, EVP of Fox Sports digital properties, said in a news release. (Only Germany has completed that feat, winning in 2003 and 2007.) “After an amazing 2018 World Cup with Twitter that exceeded expectations, we are thrilled to expand our partnership to bring soccer fans closer to the storylines and personalities that will captivate them.”
Coverage of the SheBelieves Cup will include feature moments and action from the Brazilian, English, and Japanese national teams as well. Fox Sports’ Twitter feeds will include content starring U.S. national team players, international athletes, interviews, and key moments.
“We are excited to partner again with Fox Sports to bring the very best premium content from the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 and the US Women’s National Team to Twitter alongside the passionate soccer conversation,” said Kay Madati, Twitter’s global head of content partnerships, in the release. “After last summer’s successful Twitter/Fox Sports programming collaboration, this expanded effort will bring our engaged audience even closer to the action and top stories from this seminal event in France.”
FIFA Women’s World Cup Now will stream at the conclusion of every match day with commentary, highlights, and fan interactions. The announcement did not name specific on-air personalities but promised Fox Sports’ “A-list roster.” The talent also will conduct weekly Q&A’s during the tournament.
SportTechie Takeaway
Twitter reported that Fox Sports’ nightly live recap show during the 2018 men’s World Cup drew 7.1 million views. The two partners will now apply that same model to this summer’s Women’s World Cup where, domestically, the U.S. team is a favorite rather than a no-show.